Limited Brands quarterly income rises

RuthMantell

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Limited Brands Inc. on Wednesday posted a 36% increase in fourth-quarter income, helped by strong results from Victoria's Secret, and improved performance at Express.

The retailer
LTD, +4.12%
which also operates specialty stores such as Bath and Body Works and Limited, reported net income of $519.2 million, or $1.28 a share, compared with $382.5 million, or 87 cents a share, in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 6% to $3.54 billion in the quarter, which includes the crucial holiday shopping season. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected revenue of $3.5 billion.

Sales at stores open at least one year rose 3%.

Limited has been grappling with weak results at its apparel stores, particularly the Express women's clothing chain. The company has been experimenting with new brands like personal care products from C.O. Bigelow and Intimissi brand lingerie.

For the first quarter, Limited Brands expects earnings will be nearly flat. For 2006, the company sees per-share income of $1.40 to $1.50. Analysts are looking for annual per-share income of $1.30.

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